Friday, 23 September 2011

As happens on many days, most work today was routine - such as cutting back lineside vegetation, tidying up, repairing equipment, sourcing parts, machining castings, repairing a roof, and setting up similar jobs for later. We would welcome more volunteers to help with maintenance - please see http://www.tanfield-railway.co.uk/volunteering.html

Monday, 19 September 2011

I've added some Google gadgets down the right hand side of the blog - these should help you find stuff as the blog grows. More may be added, amended or deleted, according as they are helpful. Please email comments to

Richard has sent this picture showing interesting loco, dress and style of some of our predecessors.

Renishaw Ironworks No. 6 will be hauling a mixed set of our 4-wheel wooden-bodied carriages; first train 11 am, last 4pm. There are other events in the area (eg GNR), but with much recent publicity and reasonable weather forecast it could be a busy day!

Friday, 16 September 2011

Jobs such as coaling steam locos, collecting wood, taking coal to Andrews House, lubricating pointwork, and checking and cleaning the shop and toilets tend to get done before Sunday running. Work areas, machinery and materials are made ready to enable jobs to start and run more smoothly.

Tuesday, 13 September 2011

Monday, 12 September 2011

The gala event has increased publicity for the railway - Mark says about £600,000 worth in newspapers, with articles in the Metro and Telegraph, plus big spreads in the Journal and Evening Chronicle today. There was also a gala story in the Journal last Thursday, and we were featured on BBC1 TV on Saturday evening. If you know of any more publicity, please let Mark know, or email tanfield.blog@gmail.com Hopefully, this publicity will turn into extra visitors.

Me being interviewed for BBC1(photo courtesy Chris W)

Today at the railway, several people were involved in preparation for the five boiler inspections of next week. Chris and others packed away tables, tents and a shed which was taking off in the gales. John retrieved most of the temporary electrical installations. Vic replaced the narrow gauge stock, then resumed lineside vegetation clearance. Malcolm and I turned the visiting locos and shunted most stock back into place. However, there is still a lot of post gala work to do, so volunteers are welcome to come in for an extra day or two .....

Saturday, 10 September 2011

As Twizell's driver, I've had fewer chances to record a full range of activi﻿ties during the gala, and the situation will be similar tomorrow. If anyone has a good shot showing workers or the public, please email it to tanfield.blog@gmail.com

Monday, 5 September 2011

Much shunting done today to arrive at 3 passenger trains, each of 3 carriages; plus for the 5 road shed, better layout for the public and easier access to get at necessary stock. Meanwhile, most people have been involved with sweeping and cleaning. Shunting and cleaning will never finish - unlike the ForthBridge, where painting is reported today as next needed in 25 years!

Friday, 2 September 2011

We have now made several stock lists available via the main Tanfield Railway web, by hovering over the Stock Lists button.

It would be helpful if those with knowledge of one or several items on any of these lists would check the detail, and let us know of any errors or omissions by emailing tanfield.blog@gmail.com as soon as possible.

The completed 'spotting' lists could be available, printed, for a small price at the gala.

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You are invited to travel any Sunday in wooden carriages on the world's oldest railway, the 1725 route of the Tanfield Waggonway. Visit the world's oldest engine shed at Marley Hill, which has housed industrial steam locomotives from North East England since 1854. ... more info ....